Apparatus for controlling sheet flatness under an imaging system robust to media curl

An arrangement for removing curl from sheets conveyed in a paper path, comprising:

• a charge coupled array;
• a first transport for conveying sheets past said charge coupled array towards a downstream device;
• a second transport downstream of and adjacent to said first transport;
• a curved member positioned between said first and second transports;
• a single air flow device positioned adjacent said curved member;
• and
• wherein said air flow device is configured and located to apply a layer of high velocity air that due to Coanda effect follows along with the sheets a portion of a surface of said curved member and due to the Bernoulli effect constrains the sheets down towards said portion of said surface of said curved member to thereby remove curl from leading edges of the sheets.

A method for removing curl from sheets passing under an imaging system, comprising:

• providing a first transport along which sheets are conveyed;
• providing a second transport along which sheets are conveyed downstream of said first transport;
• providing a curved member positioned orthogonally between said first and second transports;
• providing a charge coupled device array positioned immediately above said curved member for imaging sheets passing beneath said charge coupled device array;
• providing an air flow device that produces a high velocity air stream over an inboard to outboard length of said curved member positioned adjacent said curved member;
• configuring said air flow device such that said high velocity air stream follows a surface portion of said curved member and thereby induces said sheets to follow said surface portion of said curved member;
• and
• equipping said air flow device with nozzles and locating said nozzles with respect to said surface portion of said curved member such that a lower pressure band is created which will flatten said sheets under said imaging system.